For some reason, when mid-semester time rolls around, I want to retreat into my bed and avoid anything resembling work. Whether it is the papers and tests, or the steadily cooling weather, the mid-semester slump is very real, and there is only one way to combat it — by listening to hype music, of course.

This Spotify playlist is designed to draw one out of the mid-semester slump and motivate them to pursue menial academic labor with renewed enthusiasm.

Prince – ‘Let’s Go Crazy’

“Let’s Go Crazy” is the first song on the playlist and is the first song off Prince’s timeless album, “Purple Rain.”

“Let’s Go Crazy” is the ultimate party pop song. You can’t let the elevator — or the midterm — bring you down when you are listening to “Let’s Go Crazy.”

If you have never listened to the album “Purple Rain,” you need to right now. Go on Spotify or whatever, and listen to it. I can’t do the album justice here: just go listen to it now.

FM-84, Ollie Wride – ‘Running in the Night’

FM-84 is simply fantastic for pretty much any occasion or any purpose. “Running in the Night” is off the album “Atlas” and is a good example of the 1980s stylized synth pop delivered by FM-84.

FM-84 captures the optimism of 1980s culture and delivers it to your ears with sunny electronic synthwave excitement. If “Running in the Night,” with FM-84’s retro mixing and Ollie Wride’s roaring vocals, does not grab you by the throat and heave you from the mid-semester slump, music probably can’t help you.

Beck – ‘No Distraction’

Beck is always pretty good and “No Distraction” is more of what I have come to expect from him. In the song, Beck tells you that he does not want to say this, but he is sick of all the distractions. If you feel your work piling up, you probably are too.

If Beck is telling you to focus, you really should listen.

Daft Punk – ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’

Mostly remembered as the basis for one of Kanye West’s hits, “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” is a simple dance song that breathes excitement. This is a song that wakes you up.

The repetition of the words harder, better and faster is enough for me to want to work harder, better and faster. This song is pretty direct, and I appreciate that.

Dino De Laurentiss – ‘Gift of Fury’

Putting a song like “Gift of Fury” in a playlist that is almost all pop may seem like an odd choice. Well — who cares?

I have never watched the 1982 movie “Conan the Barbarian,” and I probably never will. But this soundtrack is awesome. Movie and video game soundtracks can be great for studying, but I find that some can be too bombastic and, ultimately, make me lose focus. “Conan the Barbarian” is commanding enough to motivate a person, but it is not so over the top that it makes you lose focus.

“Gift of Fury” carries a hard, pounding sound with a little heroic flourish that is all wrapped up with a thin 1980s bow. It is worth the listen.

Europe – ‘The Final Countdown’

“The Final Countdown” may be the pinnacle of ’80s cheese, but there is a reason why the song is still played today. For whatever reason “The Final Countdown” can make anything feel like a big deal. I find the song has an ability to stir up buried inspiration like no other.

If anything, “The Final Countdown” will make you feel like time is running out and you need to do your homework as soon as possible.

These songs and many, many others like them make up the Escape the Slump playlist on Spotify, which may be just what you need to care again.